Man accused of planting audio recorder in woman's home

WILLMAR, Minn. - A 35-year-old man faces criminal charges after being accused of entering a woman’s home and planting an audio recorder in the residence.

Joseph John Knott made his first appearance Friday in Kandiyohi County District Court on a felony second-degree burglary charge, plus gross misdemeanor counts of stalking and interfering with privacy.

According to the complaint, Knott, for whom no address is given, planted the device and then left voicemails and text messages telling the woman what he had done and that he had heard her conversations on the recorder.

The investigation began when the woman, who had a previous relationship with Knott and had kicked him out of the house, reported to Willmar police Nov. 11 that her home had been burglarized. The woman had changed the locks, but Knott had entered the house, and he had texted her and said he would play the recordings on Facebook, the complaint said.

Authorities said Knott admitted that he had entered the home and put a recorder in the residence, claiming he had not been told he could not be in the house.

Unconditional bail for Knott was set at $25,000. His next court appearance is Dec. 16.